Reading Is Fundamental Seeking Kids Who "Give a Hoot About Animals"
Children's literacy organization sponsors writing contestFebruary 15, 2006
By TISHA L. RICHARDSON
Reading Is Fundamental
Washington - The Reading Is Fundamental® Reading Planet (www.rif.org/readingplanet), an interactive website for children, is offering its second annual animal-themed writing contest, "Give A Hoot About Animals." RIF wants to hear from young authors who are inspired by their pets, their furry friends at the animal shelter, or the wildlife found around them everyday.
RIF's "Give A Hoot About Animals" writing contest, which was inspired by the Newbery Honor book written by Carl Hiaasen and upcoming feature film from New Line Cinema and Walden Media, "Hoot," to open nationwide in theaters April 21, invites children ages 5 to 15 to write an essay or poem of up to 1,000 words describing what they do for the animals they love.
RIF has teamed up with Walden Media, New Line Cinema, and their partner National Wildlife Federation to offer an exciting assortment of prizes. Three grand-prize winners will receive a prize package donated by Walden Media, New Line Cinema, and the NWF that includes an autographed copy of the book Hoot by Carl Hiaasen; the movie soundtrack; a poster; a $35 gift certificate to the National Wildlife Federation's online store; and a "Give A Hoot About Animals" prize package. Nine honorable mention winners will also receive the "Give A Hoot About Animals" prize package, which includes a subscription to Ranger Rick or Your Big Back Yard magazine; a backpack filled with books; a T-shirt; a CD; and a poster.
"We received so many entries to last year's "I Love Animals" writing contest, that we knew we had to sponsor another animal-themed writing contest," said Heidi Okla, director of online communications at RIF. "The 'Give A Hoot About Animals' writing contest taps into this love of animals and uses it as a tool to motivate children to read and write about a topic that they already enjoy."
Contest rules can be found on the RIF Reading Planet website at www.rif.org/readingplanet. The site also features animal-themed games, e-Cards and booklists. Winning essays from the "Give A Hoot About Animals" writing contest will be published on the site in late April.
The RIF Reading Planet is the children's section of the larger RIF website (www.rif.org). Aimed at children ages 5 to 15 and updated weekly, the advertising-free site offers an interactive community that encourages and supports reading and writing. Through the site, kids of all ages can join the free RIF Reading Planet Club; design their own homepage; and find writing contests, reading games, activities, and booklists.
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. For more information and to access reading resources, visit RIF's website at www.rif.org.
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Walden Media, LLC, founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films' Dimension label, and education reformer Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media, a subsidiary of the Anschutz Film Group (AFG), specializes in entertainment that sparks the imagination and curiosity of kids and provides parents and teachers with materials to continue the learning process. Produced by Walden Media in association with Walt Disney Pictures, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has been nominated for three Academy Awards(R) and is one of the highest grossing films of 2005. Upcoming releases include Hoot and How to Eat Fried Worms with New Line Cinema, and Charlotte's Web with Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies.
